Acts 5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is evidence that the early disciples were not living under a communist-like arrangement, but they were required to live in community. Remember, unity is God-given defining purpose. A common purpose brings people together to work towards a common goal, fellowship. And community takes place when people share their life and possessions while they fellowship. Genuine community happens in an environment filled with honesty and free from pretensions.

When community begins to take place, the enemy will not waste time to try to spoil it. The enemy filled Ananias heart to lie about the sale of his property. He sold it for a certain amount from which he kept back some for himself. The sin is not that he kept back some money from the price because as Peter points out, it was his property to begin with and he had the right to do whatever he wanted with it. Even the selling of the property was a voluntary act. But he lied about the full price of the property to make it seem that both him and his wife were offering the full price of the property to the community. It seems that a certain Christian status was achieved if one gave "everything." And Ananias and Sapphira desired that status to the point of lying for it.

Unfortunately, both husband and wife plotted together to pretend that they were giving the full amount of the sale to the community. They both paid with their lives. It was important for the early Christian community to realize that distrust brings disunity. Community cannot survive it. It is for this reason that God acts with discipline against his displeasure. He makes this couple an example of how important it is to live in obedience to him and honestly with one another, without pretensions, without tainted motives. Community requires integrity from its members and God is displeased beyond measure when it is jeopardized.

I want to live the fullness of the Christian life. This fullness is only possible in community. God grants me a unity that gives me purpose. I come together with my brothers and sisters and fellowship as I work towards the common goal of worldwide evangelization. And community is developed as I share my life and my possessions with others openly and honestly without deceptions or pretensions. Christian Community is that important to my God that he was willing to execute his judgment upon Ananias and Sapphira to make them examples of the consequences of messing with its integrity. I must realize that anything that stands in the way of true community is ultimately, the work of the enemy among God's people.

Father, teach me to live in community. Help me become more transparent and honest. Help me grow in my giving and caring. May I learn to share openly who I am and what I have for your honor and glory. Amen.

Acts 4:32-37 They Had Everything in Common

Community requires unity. The Ancient Church was of "one heart and soul." Today, Christianity suffers greatly of disunity and strife. Even a quick perusal of a Denominational Handbook will tell the inexperienced with Christianity that it has many divides. Some divisions are caused by Theology: Calvinist or Armenian? Covenantal or Dispensationalist? Premillennial, Post-millennial, or Amillennial? Pre-trib, Mid-trib, Post-trib? Pentecostal, Charismatic or Non-charismatic? Others are caused by practices: Infant baptism or Anabaptism? Eucharist - transubstantiation or remembrance? Yet others are as shallow as style: Traditional or Contemporary? Drums or no drums? Raising hands or not? Applaud or not? Etc., etc., etc...

Unfortunately, the list is not complete without the issues that a local congregation struggles with due to the division and strife among its members. Power plays, family feuds, miscommunication, misunderstandings, complaints, sour relationships, etc. are just a few on the list of reasons for a church not to be of one heart and soul. Paul, writing to the Ephesians says that we ought to be "eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph.4:3). This statement teaches me that unity is a gift of God. It is not something I manufacture, but something I have been given by grace. It also teaches me that my responsibility with the gift of unity is to keep it. God grants me unity but he expects me to keep it with eagerness. In other words, I must do everything possible to maintain this unity God has given me. God grants unity, but he expects community.

How does community take place? The sharing of common attitudes, interests, and goals (unity) brings me in fellowship with other brothers and sisters. Fellowship is not the sharing of a meal, but the meeting together with the purpose of pursuing our common goals. This the reason for the warning "not neglecting to meet together" (Heb.10:25). If I stop meeting with my brothers and sisters, encouragement for personal growth cannot take place and worse, the planning, coordination, and execution to extend God's kingdom upon the earth comes to a halt! Community is the living together in fellowship. Unity brings fellowship and fellowship breeds community. The sharing of my life as I work to achieve my (really our) God-given goals is what community is all about.

Sharing all of life together includes not only the moments of victory and success, but also the moments of difficulty and challenge. Those who had need were covered by those who had abundance. This is not an example of Communism since everything was voluntary. As an example, Joseph or Barnabas, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the proceeds to the Apostles for distribution among those who are needy. He was not obligated to do so, he desired to do so. Unity breeds fellowship and begets community for the good times and the bad times, for all of life.

If I want community to take place, I must start protecting the unity God has given with eagerness. I should not allow petty issues to stand in the way and divide. I should not take offense too easily and allow strife to set in. The next thing I can do is to come together to meet with my brothers and sisters and work to achieve the common goals we have. If nothing else, I must think of the Great Commission to make disciples wherever I go. This will bring me into fellowship. Then, I must open my life to others as we work together as to share who I am and what I have, especially with those who are in need.

Father, thanks for the unity you have given to your people. Teach me to keep it with eagerness. Move me to come into fellowship with my brothers and sisters in obedience to the Great Commission and never neglect the meeting together. Open my heart to share my life with them as we work together in your kingdom.

Acts 2:42-47 The Fellowship of the Believers

The apostles experienced such an explosive growth - just 3,000 people responded to Peter's sermon. What did they do? What was their lifestyle like? How did they spend their time? The Scripture says they "devoted" themselves to certain things. Their existence in the community of faith was one of devotion - giving most of their time and resources, to persist obstinately, to adhere, to be constant, to be steadfastly attentive, to give unremitting care. They were attentive and persistent despite the obstacles; they dogged these things. As I read this, I am convicted about my own level of devotion.

What were the things that were so important and worthy of their constant devotion? They were the apostles' teaching, fellowship, meals, and prayers. I have the apostles' teaching in the Bible. Fellowship is a communion, partnership, association to pursue a common interest. My relationships are not for the sake of a friendship, as great as that is. It is to come together to plan and strategize to work towards a common goal. Meals together are more likely referring to both the Lord's Supper (communion) and eating together as a family. The Lord's Supper gives me the opportunity to remember the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ - one Lord, one faith, one Church. Also, having meals together is a great reminder that I am part of the family of God. I am my Father's child together with other brothers and sisters - my siblings in the faith. Am I devoted to these things?

The effects upon ones life for devoting oneself to these things should motivate me to pursue them with a passion. Notice the resulting effects: awe, signs and wonders, unity, community, gladness, generosity and worship. The interesting thing here is that growth was God's doing and not the people's doing. If I devote myself to the Scriptures, fellowship, meals, and prayers, my life will be filled with a sense of awe (reverent fear) for God. The gifts of the Spirit will be at work producing more signs and wonders. There comes a unity that becomes community as everyone's needs are met and not ignored. My heart is filled with gladness (contentment) and generosity that moves me to worship and praise.

A community like this would be a magnet for a needy world! The Lord would then add the numbers. Growth is a result of devotion to the right things and not pursuit of growth per se. If I devote myself to the teaching of the apostles, to fellowship, meals, and prayers, there is no stopping of what God can do in terms of growth. He takes care to add the numbers. I should take care of devoting myself to the right things.

Father, forgive my lack of devotion and forgive my devotion to the wrong things. Give me a heart that is fully devoted to you and your kingdom. Help me prioritize my life to make Scripture, fellowship, meals, and prayers the most important things in my life.